Rectal Cancer Statistics and Prognosis

Rectal cancer statistics and prognosis is the main parameter to judge the damage rectal cancer has been causing worldwide. Rectal cancer is one of the most common cancers and is responsible for a high number of cancer-deaths across the world. Statistics and prognosis reports are based on scientific calculations and obtained as a result of empirical studies.

Rectal cancer statistics in detail

Rectal cancer statistics may include a wide number of areas like the number of cases of rectal cancer detected and treated worldwide, main causes and symptoms (rectal cancer symptoms) that are more frequently detected in the persons suffering from the disease, people who are more prone to the disease, age and demographic factors related to the occurrence of the cases of rectal cancer and also the life expectancy and survival rate of rectal cancer patients.

Statistics for rectal cancer are based on detailed research and also on the past performance of the disease. The figures may change from time to time and also depend on changing environmental patterns and lifestyle of the people. Personal habits may alter the chances of occurrence, treatment and recurrence of the disease to a measurable extent and thus, are vital to be considered during calculating the statistics.

Gender and age forms an important part of rectal cancer statistics. Numbers of incidences of cancer of the rectum are almost equal in men and women. People above 50 years are highly prone to the disease while the numbers of cases occurring in young people are comparatively low. Dietary habits are one of the key variants in calculating statistics for rectal cancer. Weak immune system increases the chances of occurrence of the disease and creates complications in early detection of rectal cancers.

Human papillomavirus (HPV), smoking, AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), tobacco chewing, faulty dietary patterns and excess consumption of red meat or other food rich in fats, too much consumption of alcohol and inactive lifestyle play a decisive role in the character and seriousness of tumor metastasis. People who have personal or family background of rectal or other forms of cancer have been found to be more affected by cancerous attack in the rectum. According to statistics, rectal cancer-deaths in such people are quite high and the chance of recurrence of cancerous infection in the rectum is a big concern.

Rectal cancer prognosis in detail

Rectal cancer prognosis is an important indicator of the severity of cancerous development in the rectum. Prognosis basically explains the future course of the disease and its impact on the respective person. Though prognosis rate is calculated on general basis and is closely related to survival rate, it is highly sensitive to variants like personal habits, lifestyle and other non-cancerous disorders that a person might be suffering from. Hence, prognosis rate can differ from person to person and also depends on the stage of rectal cancer a person is suffering from.

Prognosis rate is based on scientific data and relies mostly on the past performance of the disease. It is not an accurate but approximate calculation of the survival chances of the patient. Life expectancy of the patient can be estimated using prognosis rate. Severity or pattern of the prescribed treatment plays an important role in increasing or decreasing the prognosis rate of a person.
Strong immune system and apt medical treatment is very important to achieve a decent prognosis rate. Many research organizations committed to rectal cancer research and breakthrough have been giving special importance to important indicators like statistics, survival rate, life expectancy and prognosis of the disease as it helps in locating the loopholes or obstacles in complete elimination of the disease.

Prognosis depends primarily on three important indicators as survival rate, survival time and progression-free survival. Survival time is the approximate time-period left in the victim's life after he is diagnosed for cancerous infection in the rectum. Survival rate is the number or percentage of patients who have remained alive after 5 years after being diagnosed for the disease. Survival rate is usually calculated on five-year basis. Progression-free survival is a new concept and focuses mainly on the total time period during and after a person gets treated for the disease. It is calculated for the period for which the intensity of cancerous infection does not worsen or get severe. Thus, it focuses on the effectiveness of treatment in curing rectal cancer polyps.

Important rectal cancer statistics and prognosis figures

Rectal cancer statistics and prognosis help in systematic display and sorting of the number of cases related to the disease and help in judging the future course of the disease better. It also focuses on the urgency of detecting, diagnosing and treating the tumors in time. Proper diagnosis techniques and right treatment schedule and pattern is very important for better statistical and prognosis figures related to rectal cancer.

Rectal cancer occurrence as well as death-rate is higher in black people as compared to white ones. The disease is more common in industrialized and developed countries with more than 60% of the total cases occurring in such regions. Rectal cancer may also spread to colon areas and is together known as colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third-most common cancer in the world. More than 98% of the rectal cancer cases are of adenocarcinoma type.

Lifetime risk of being prone to the disease is around 7% in the United States of America. Five-year survival rate is more than 90% for the stage-1. It ranges between 32-65% for the second stage depending upon the location and spread of tumors. The prognosis rate dips to less than 32% in the third stage as the tumors begin to metastasize. Prognosis and survival rate is the lowest in the last stage and may range from 6-25%. Thus, rectal cancer statistics and prognosis figures are helpful in treating the tumors in time.

Rectal cancer statistics and prognosis depends on the health of the victim. Better health leads to better prognosis rate further leading to better statistical figures. Majority of rectal cancer-deaths occur due to late detection for rectal cancer and inapt diagnosis and treatment patterns.